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"WHERE PRAYER AND PRAISE TAKE YOU INTO HIS PRESENCE"

Monday, November 29, 2010

The Power of Jealousy

(CEV) Genesis 37:17...Joseph left and found his brothers in Dothan. 18 But before he got there, they saw him coming and made plans to kill him.
Genesis 37 records a very cruel act done by a group of individuals to another person. While visiting the city of Shechem, Joseph was apprehended, stripped of a valuable coat given to him by his father, and then thrown into a pit and left to die (Genesis 37:23-24). He was then apprehended and sold into slavery like a piece of property. Ironically, all of this happened because he obeyed the command of his father! (Genesis 37:13). It would have been bad enough had Joseph been treated this way by total strangers. But imagine how heart-broken he must have been to be done this way by his very own brothers!

Why was Joseph treated so cruelly by individuals so close to him? What drove his brothers to be so “low-down and trifling” towards Joseph? Unfortunately, his brothers were jealous of him (Genesis 37:3-4) and their jealousy drove them to do such a thing. Jealousy is a powerful motivator and it’s the driving force behind some of the deviance done towards others. Jealousy can motivate one of the members of a couple to follow the other party around spying on them and even cause bodily harm if they feel like the relationship is compromised. It’s jealousy—more often than not—that’s the catalyst behind gossip, slander, and attacks on people’s character and integrity. Jealousy will cause people to do some of the most hateful, hurtful, and horrendous things regardless of the relationship of the parties involved.

The exhortation today is this: Never underestimate the power of jealousy!

Let’s Pray: “Father, we pray that You’ll examine our hearts and if there is any hint of jealousy, forgive us and deliver us from it! We pray that as long as we live that we won’t be jealous of anybody. Help us to rejoice when others are rejoicing and to mourn when others mourn, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer: “Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Daily Confession: Father, I thank You for making me the head and not the tail

Above only and not beneath

The lender and not the borrower

The conqueror and not the conquered



I thank You for giving me all things that pertain unto life and godliness

And for delivering my life from death and destruction

So that I shall live and not die to declare your works

I thank You that no sickness shall live in my body

For by Your Stripes I'm healed

I confess that I will not be stressed, oppressed, or depressed

Because You're keeping me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on Thee



I confess that I will not be distracted, disorganized, or in disarray,

but I will be diligent to what God has called me to do



I confess that there shall not be any lack in my life

For my God shall supply all my needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus

Thank You that all things are working together for my good

And that You always cause me to triumph



This is the day that you have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

In Jesus, Name, amen.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Hebrews 10:25: “We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming
.”


Today is Black Friday—probably the Christmas Holiday’s biggest shopping day. Consumers are driving near and far to purchase items in celebration of the holiday season. I’m amazed at the length that customers will go to buy gifts. News 2 (Nashville) reported last night that there were individuals who waited from two p.m. to 10 p.m. outside a store in Murfreesboro (Tennessee) just to make purchases that were on sale! Amazingly, they forfeited much of their Thanksgiving holiday and endured the elements for the sake of spending money!



As I watched the news, I wondered, “How many people would be willing to wait in line to worship and hear a Word from the Lord?” In most churches, there aren’t lines to enter the sanctuary but yet people make excuse upon excuse for not attending. As we close out the week, let’s consider the Biblical command concerning church attendance: “We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming.” (Hebrews 10:25, God’s Word Translation) Today’s exhortation is a simple one… “Go to church this weekend!”



Let’s Pray: “Father, we pray that You’ll give us the discipline and the desire to worship in Your Sanctuary this weekend. Remind us that we’re entering to worship You, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10



Daily Confession:

Father, I thank You for making me the head and not the tail

Above only and not beneath

The lender and not the borrower

The conqueror and not the conquered



I thank You for giving me all things that pertain unto life and godliness

And for delivering my life from death and destruction

So that I shall live and not die to declare your works



I thank You that no sickness shall live in my body

For by Your Stripes I'm healed

I confess that I will not be stressed, oppressed, or depressed

Because You're keeping me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on Thee



I confess that I will not be distracted, disorganized, or in disarray,

but I will be diligent to what God has called me to do



I confess that there shall not be any lack in my life

For my God shall supply all my needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus

Thank You that all things are working together for my good

And that You always cause me to triumph



This is the day that you have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

In Jesus, Name, amen.

Monday, November 22, 2010

1 Corinthians 12:12 (KJV)
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body,
being many, are one body: so also is Christ. There is a healthy competition that exists between
the branches of the Armed Forces. 

Personally, I think that the United States Army is the best branch of service (Of course I would seeing that I
served fifteen years as an active duty soldier and pastor in the community where the 101st Airborne Division is located!)  However, the other members of the Armed Services—the Air Force, Navy, and
Marines—each have their own “claim to fame” as the elite military force.  Although the branches tease each other, during wartime, they form a united front and battle together against the enemies of the United
States of America. 

In I Corinthians 12, Paul compared the church to the human body when He wrote, “For
as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one
body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.” (I Corinthians
12:28)  In the Body of Christ, there are various denominations, styles of leadership, and genres of worship.   There
are differences in our church structure and even in some aspects of our doctrines.   But if we believe that Jesus Christ is The Son of God, that He died on The Cross for our sins and that salvation only comes through
Him, then we’re on the same team!   Not only are many churches and denominations argue amongst themselves, but there is often conflict that exists within local congregations!   Our enemy, Satan (Lucifer, the
devil, “slewfoot”), is doing a great job advancing his agenda while
we’re arguing over who’s right and who’s wrong!  

It’s time to recognize the devil’s schemes and stop committing spiritual fratricide against one another. 
The exhortation today is to realize the importance of joining forces against our real enemy, Satan.    

Let’s Pray: 
“Father, help us to come together on one accord and tear down Satan’s
kingdom.   Let there not be any strife amongst the members of Your
church.  I pray a special prayer for those local congregations who are at
odds with one another, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 410

Daily Confession:
Father I thank You for making me the head and not the tail
Above only and not beneath
The lender and not the borrower
The conqueror and not the conquered
I thank You for giving me all things that pertain unto life and godliness
And for delivering my life from death and destruction
So that I shall live and not die to declare your works
I thank You that no sickness shall live in my body
For by Your Stripes I'm healed
I confess that I will not be stressed, oppressed, or depressed
Because You're keeping me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on Thee 
I confess that I will not be distracted, disorganized, or in disarray,
but I will be diligent to what God has called me to do 
I confess that there shall not be any lack in my life
For my God shall supply all my needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ
Jesus Thank You that all things are working together for my good
And that You always cause me to triumph
This is the day that you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
In Jesus, Name, amen.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

GOD'S VOICE

1LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose
and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he
answered, I called not, my son; lie down again. 7 Now Samuel did not yet
know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.  8
And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to
Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that
the LORD had called the child. 9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie
down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for
thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place. 10 And
the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then
Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
At least once a month, our son


(“Zeke”) answers, “Yes dad,” even though I didn’t
call him.  When it first started happening, I totally disregarded
it.  But as it began occurring more routinely, I started pondering the
event(s) in my heart.  Now when it happens, my wife jokingly says to him,
“That’s not your dad son.  You’re hearing The Voice of
God.  If it happens again, just say, “Yes Lord!”
Although this sounds humorous,
this is exactly what happened when God was calling the prophet Samuel. 
Three times, Samuel heard The Voice of God calling him and all three times he
mistook God’s Voice as Eli’s.  I once heard Bishop Neil Ellis
say that “The Voice of God should sound just like your pastor’s
voice!” This text suggests the possibility of this statement.  To
Samuel, The Voice of God sounded just like the voice of Eli!
There are many individuals who
totally disregard the importance of a pastor in their lives.  If
you’re a member of a local congregation, you should be confident that
you’re hearing from God through the voice of your pastor.  The Bible
is clear that your pastor is a gift from God with the responsibility of
“feeding you knowledge and understanding.”  (Jeremiah
3:15)  As you attend church this weekend, I pray that you’ll be able
to hear God through your pastor (or his designated representative to preach the
gospel).     
Let’s Pray:  “Father,
let us hear Your Voice through the vessel who’ll preach to us this
weekend, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”
Daily Prayer:

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,

and enlarge my territory,

that Your hand would be with me,

and that You would keep me from evil,

that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10
 
Daily
Confession:

Father,
I thank You for making me the head and not the tail
Above
only and not beneath
The
lender and not the borrower
The
conqueror and not the conquered
 
I
thank You for giving me all things that pertain unto life and godliness
And
for delivering my life from death and destruction
So
that I shall live and not die to declare your works
 
I
thank You that no sickness shall live in my body today
For
by Your Stripes I'm healed
I
confess that I will not be stressed, oppressed, or depressed
Because
You're keeping me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on Thee
 
I
confess that there shall not be any lack in my life today
For
my God shall supply all my needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ
Jesus
Thank
You that all things are working together for my good
And
that You always cause me to triumph
 
This
is the day that you have made
I
will rejoice and be glad in it
In
Jesus, Name, amen.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

DAILY DEVOTIONAL NOVEMBER 16TH, 2010

My devotionals
are usually practical illustrations about my life experiences.  
However, I want to share one of my devotionals that I read yesterday that
ministered to me—Sparkling Gems in the Greek.   I pray it
blesses you as much as it blessed me. 
Hebrews 12:15  looking
carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of
bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
"... lest any root of bitterness springing
up trouble you...." The words
"springing up" are from the Greek word phuoo. This word
depicts a little plant that is just starting to sprout and grow. It
isn't a large plant yet; rather, it's a small seedling that is just breaking
through the soil and starting to peek out at the world. However, the very fact
that it's peeking through the soil means there is a seed hidden in the soil
producing this new life.
“trouble you."
The words "trouble you" are from the Greek word enochleo,
which means to trouble, to harass, or to annoy. It refers to
something inside that bothers and upsets you so much, you are
constantly pestered by thoughts about it. In fact, your whole life is stalked
by these hassling, troubling thoughts. What you allowed to take root and to
fester inside your soul has now become a major nuisance to your peace, keeping
you upset and emotionally torn up all the time.
“defiled"
is the Greek word miaini. It means to spill, to spot, or to
stain. Here is what Hebrews 12:15 is  telling us: If you are inwardly
upset with someone and don't get rid of those raw emotions, it won't be too
long until you open your mouth and begin to verbalize those ugly inward
emotions. As Jesus said, "... Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaketh" (Matthew 12:34).
Do you have a grudge against
someone that just gnaws away at you all the time?
Every time you see that person, do
you feel something sharp and ugly inside?
When you hear about that person
being blessed, do you wonder how God could possibly bless him when he did
such an ugly thing to you?
Do negative thoughts like these
pester and bother you all the time?
If
you relate to the questions I just asked you, then watch out! It may
mean that a root of bitterness is growing inside you and that bitterness,
resentment, and unforgiveness are starting to hound and stalk you
wherever you go!

Monday, November 15, 2010

The Blood Still Flows

1 John 1:7 “…the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Because I was away from my barber last week, I was forced to shave by non-conventional means (at least to me anyway). Before going to a dedication service, I decided to shave my face with a disposable razor. Unfortunately, I nicked my face and couldn’t get the cut to stop bleeding. I tried applying direct pressure with a wash cloth, but the blood just kept on flowing. I tried putting aloe on my face, but the blood would not stop flowing. I took my wife’s recommendation and tried putting ice on and around the cut, but the blood just kept on flowing…

Our Postmodern Christianity often overlooks many of the tenets that are the foundation of the Christian faith. Believers must always remember John’s words that “…the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (I John 1:7) Because of Calvary, billions of people have been saved, healed, delivered and liberated through The Wonder-Working Power of The Precious Blood of the Lamb. Although Jesus bled, suffered and died for our sins over 2,000 years ago, the Impact of The Cross is still as significant today as It was back then. I’m so glad that The Blood still “reaches to the highest mountain and flows to the lowest valley. The Blood still gives us strength from day to day and It will never lose Its Power.”

The exhortation today is to thank God that “The Blood Still Flows.”

Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You that The Blood of Jesus still cleanses us from all our sins, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:
“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Daily Confession:

Father, I thank You for making me the head and not the tail

Above only and not beneath

The lender and not the borrower

The conqueror and not the conquered



I thank You for giving me all things that pertain unto life and godliness

And for delivering my life from death and destruction

So that I shall live and not die to declare your works





I thank You that no sickness shall live in my body

For by Your Stripes I'm healed



I confess that I will not be stressed, oppressed, or depressed

Because You're keeping me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on Thee



I confess that I will not be distracted, disorganized, or in disarray,

but I will be diligent to what God has called me to do



I confess that there shall not be any lack in my life

For my God shall supply all my needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus

Thank You that all things are working together for my good

And that You always cause me to triumph



This is the day that you have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

In Jesus, Name, amen.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

GIVE IT TO GOD

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. (KJV)
Yesterday, I read a very interesting suggestion of how to trust God with our troubles. Pastor Craig Groeschel suggests that those of us who worry constantly should get a container and write, “Trusting God” on it. And whenever we’re worried about something we can’t change, we should simply write what’s worrying us on a piece of paper and put it in the container. Once it’s inside the container, it becomes God’s Property, His Responsibility, not yours. From the moment you give your problem to Him, you’re not allowed to worry about it. If you want to worry, then you have to go to the container and physically take the concern away from God. And when you do, you’re choosing to worry instead of trusting God.

Whether you agree or disagree with Pastor Groeshel’s method, we cannot deny the need to offload those things that are troubling us by giving them to God. The word of the Lord through the penmanship of the apostle Peter is, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 1:7) The unfortunate reality is that far too often we pick up burdens that have been placed at The Feet of Jesus. But if we’re going to live stress-free lives, we have to learn how to “take our burdens to the Lord and leave them there.”

My prayer for us today is that we’ll learn how to trust The Lord with the things that trouble us.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, we pray that you’ll help us to not worry about the things we cannot change. We confess that there are some things that we can’t handle by ourselves and we need Your Help. Teach us, we pray, how to trust You with all our troubles, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer: “Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Daily Confession:
Father, I thank You for making me the head and not the tail

Above only and not beneath

The lender and not the borrower

The conqueror and not the conquered



I thank You for giving me all things that pertain unto life and godliness

And for delivering my life from death and destruction

So that I shall live and not die to declare your works



I thank You that no sickness shall live in my body

For by Your Stripes I'm healed

I confess that I will not be stressed, oppressed, or depressed

Because You're keeping me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on Thee



I confess that I will not be distracted, disorganized, or in disarray,

but I will be diligent to what God has called me to do



I confess that there shall not be any lack in my life

For my God shall supply all my needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus

Thank You that all things are working together for my good

And that You always cause me to triumph



This is the day that you have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

In Jesus, Name, amen.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

BE FAITHFUL

Various Scriptures

The story is told of an attempted assassination of the first Queen Elizabeth of England. The woman who sought to do so dressed as a male page and secreted herself in the queen's boudoir, awaiting the convenient moment to stab the queen to death. She did not realize that the queen's attendants would be very careful to search the rooms before Her Majesty was permitted to retire. They found the woman hidden there among the gowns and brought her into the presence of the queen, after confiscating the poniard that she had hoped to plant into the heart of the sovereign.

The would-be assassin realized that her case, humanly speaking, was hopeless. She threw herself down on her knees and pleaded and begged the queen as a woman to have compassion on her, a woman, and to show her grace. Queen Elizabeth looked at her coldly and quietly said, "If I show you grace, what promise will you make for the future?" The woman looked up and said, "Grace that hath conditions, grace that is fettered by precautions, is not grace at all." Queen Elizabeth caught the idea in a moment and said, "You are right; I pardon you of my grace." And they led her away, a free woman. History tells us that from that moment Queen Elizabeth had no more faithful, devoted servant than that woman who had intended to take her life.
Because of our allegiance with the world, we were once enemies of God (James 4:4). Most of us have the testimony that, “once upon a time we did anything and everything but serve God!”

The beauty of salvation is that it is not predicated upon anything that we’ve done ourselves but we’re saved simply because of God’s Grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). At the same time, we ought to show our appreciation for our Father, “bringing us out of darkness and translating us into the kingdom of His Dear Son (Colossians 1:13)” by being committed to our relationship with Him and faithful in doing all we can to build His Kingdom.

The exhortation today is to be faithful in serving our God.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, help us to be faithful in serving You. Let us remember how far you have brought us and commit like never before in building up Your Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer:

“Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Daily Confession:

Father, I thank You for making me the head and not the tail
Above only and not beneath
The lender and not the borrower
The conqueror and not the conquered

I thank You for giving me all things that pertain unto life and godliness
And for delivering my life from death and destruction
So that I shall live and not die to declare your works

I thank You that no sickness shall live in my body
For by Your Stripes I'm healed
I confess that I will not be stressed, oppressed, or depressed
Because You're keeping me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on Thee

I confess that I will not be distracted, disorganized, or in disarray,
but I will be diligent to what God has called me to do

I confess that there shall not be any lack in my life
For my God shall supply all my needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus
Thank You that all things are working together for my good
And that You always cause me to triumph

This is the day that you have made
I will rejoice and be glad in it
In Jesus, Name, amen.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

The Ultimate Servant

Mark 10:45 (NKJV): “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
One of the most powerful yet overlooked principals in all the world is servanthood. Most of the time this principal is in operation without being recognized by the parties involved. From the womb, parents (or guardians) serve their children by nurturing them and taking care of their needs. Spouses serve each other by rendering mutual benevolence according to I Corinthians 7. Pastors and church leaders serve their congregations, soldiers serve their country, and politicians serve the citizens of the jurisdiction of which they are elected.

A vital element in servitude is sacrifice. Not only does servanthood involve a sacrifice of time, but it also includes the sacrifice of plans, intentions, and sometimes even resources. The Ultimate Example of Servanthood is the Ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Savior of the world declared in Mark 10:45 that, “…the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” The church of old sang how Jesus, “…healed the sick, raised the dead, gave sight to the blind, caused the lame to walk and the dumb to talk…” But The Supreme Sacrifice of all time was when He gave His Life to save the world.

As we’re voting today for politicians to serve us, let’s remember our Lord’s Ultimate Act of Servitude on Calvary. Pause to give Him praise for His Continuous Service of Intercession at The Right Hand of our Father in heaven.

Let’s Pray:
“Father, we thank You for being our Ultimate Example of Servitude. Thank You for volunteering to die on Calvary’s Cross and for serving us even right now at The Right Hand of the Father. Help us to serve one another in building Your Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Daily Prayer: “Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10

Daily Confession: Father, I thank You for making me the head and not the tail

Above only and not beneath

The lender and not the borrower

The conqueror and not the conquered



I thank You for giving me all things that pertain unto life and godliness

And for delivering my life from death and destruction

So that I shall live and not die to declare your works



I thank You that no sickness shall live in my body

For by Your Stripes I'm healed

I confess that I will not be stressed, oppressed, or depressed

Because You're keeping me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on Thee



I confess that I will not be distracted, disorganized, or in disarray,

but I will be diligent to what God has called me to do



I confess that there shall not be any lack in my life

For my God shall supply all my needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus

Thank You that all things are working together for my good

And that You always cause me to triumph



This is the day that you have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

In Jesus, Name, amen.